Page 86 of How Jenna Became My Dilemma

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

JENNA

The sun has long set, and so has the quiet reverence of the ceremony. Music with a beat thumps, vibrating the entire boat. Ties, jackets, and shoes have all been removed and discarded to the side as the after-party picks up steam.

Cody and I dance under stringed lights in the middle of the floor, surrounded by Trey, Whitney, and the very rambunctious Tampa Bay offensive line—these men know how to party. Damien Wallace—I think he’s the running back—has moves that put Michael Jackson to shame.

One fast song ends, transitioning into another. But I need a break and some air. I thought I did a lot of cardio, but one hour of straight dancing and jumping has done me in.

I lean into Cody, shouting above the music. “I’m going to go get a drink. Do you want something?”

“I’ll come with you.” He grabs my hand, leading me through the crowd to the back of the boat. “What do you want?”

“Water.” I fan myself, signaling that I’m overheated in addition to being dehydrated.

“I’ll get you some.” He lets go and walks to where the bar is. I watch for a second as he leans against the counter, trying to get the bartender's attention. His rolled-up sleeves and unbuttoned white shirt that shows glimpses of his chest are going to be my undoing.

“Jenna!”

I spin to see Ben Jackson and his wife, Brooke, behind me. “I haven’t seen you all night,” he says, pulling me into a hug.

“I know! I’m sorry. I arrived right before the ceremony, and then it’s been so crazy.” I glance down at Brooke’s baby bump. “I was thrilled when Trey told me the news.” I really was, but there was also a wave of longing, an I-wish-that-were-me-having-a-baby moment. But I push those thoughts aside and smile back at her. “When are you due?”

“Three months.”

“It’s a boy.” Ben pats her stomach. “And you better believe that as soon as he can walk, I’m bringing him over to Trey to learn how to catch a football.”

“Ben, I don’t think that’s going to work.” Brooke looks at him. “He’ll have your genes, and you’re not half as coordinated as Trey.”

“Oh, come on!” Ben whines.

I smile, watching the two of them together.

Brooke turns to me. “I’m going to sit down inside, but we just wanted to say hi before the night was over.”

“I’m so glad you did.”

“And”—Ben glances to where Cody is standing at the bar—“I wanted to tell you I met Cody Banner.”

“Yeah, we’re costars in that Flixmart series I’m doing.”

At this point, we might be more than costars, but I’m not about to explain the complexity of our relationship to Ben and Brooke.

“We’ve watched every episode of The Promised Prince that has aired,” Ben says.

“Even the one that came out today.” Brooke laughs. “Ben is obsessed. We had to get it in before we could get ready for the wedding this afternoon.”

“I’m not obsessed. I just need to know what happens next. But anyway”—he shakes his head as if he doesn’t know how we got so far off track from the conversation he wants to have—“I talked to Cody, and I just wanted you to know that the guy is absolutely in love with you.”

“What?” The word comes out as a breathy laugh. “Why do you think that? What did he say?” My questions are fast and urgent.

“I don’t remember exactly what he said.”

“Ben, you need to do better than that. We want word for word,” Brooke explains. “You can’t tell Jenna that Cody loves her and then not remember what he said that made you think that.”

“Yes, word of word would be appreciated.”

“Well,he was possessive, jealous, and hates me, which we all know is a sign of being in love.”

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